On February 6, 2026, at the Terra Sancta College in Jabal al-Webdeh, in Amman, the Franciscan Youth of Jordan gathered for a significant formation meeting entitled "Francesco… a way of life". About one hundred young people from various parishes and youth realities of the country took part in the event, motivated by the desire to deepen the Franciscan charism and rediscover its relevance today.
The heart of the day was the deepening of the life of Saint Francis of Assisi through a dynamic and engaging methodology. The participants, of Jordanian and Iraqi nationality, took part in a journey structured in eight stations, each dedicated to a significant moment in the biography of the Saint.
This interactive experience allowed the young people to "touch with their own hands" the action of the Lord in the life of Francis, offering them a key to recognize the same presence of God in their personal history and daily life. The proposed journey was not limited to a simple historical re-enactment, but fostered a profound personal and spiritual involvement.
The program was enriched by moments of meditation, reflection, sharing in small groups and community dialogue, thus encouraging active participation and mutual acquaintance among young people from different backgrounds.
The culmination of the meeting was represented by the Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Fr. Rashid Mistrih, director of the Terra Sancta College in Amman. Concelebrating were Fr. George Paolo Jallouf, Vocational Animator of the Custody of the Holy Land, and Fr. Mikel Angelo, responsible for youth ministry for Judea, Galilee and Jordan.
The initiative was also made possible thanks to the valuable collaboration of several religious sisters of Franciscan spirituality who, together with the friars, carefully oversaw every organizational and formative aspect of the event.
The meeting is part of the annual journey of the Franciscan Youth, aimed at promoting human and spiritual growth inspired by the evangelical values lived by Saint Francis.
The objective remains to offer young people authentic spaces for dialogue, formation and discernment, strengthening the bonds among the different parishes and building a network of fraternity founded on joy, simplicity and the spirit of service typical of the Franciscan charism.
Fr. George Jallouf
